Draft Reminders

We know that clubs are still in the heart of draft work, but we wanted to send out these reminders about the flow of draft events.

Committees and judges, please note that For draft work, each division should be completed in its entirety as a stand alone, separate item. There cannot be any combined BDD and DD stays or freight hauls.

The intent of the division is to allow all dogs to exhibit at their level ONLY without distraction of the others who may be exhibiting at a different level. Combining the stay and freight hauls for BDD and DD is not giving the teams at each level the correct attention and allowing them fairness and full attention from the judges. 

So all BDD entrants should be on their own stay, freight load and freight haul.

All DD entrants should be on their own stay, freight load and freight haul.

There should never be a stay/freight load and freight haul that combines both BDD and DD dogs, even though there may only be a few in one and a few in the other. Committees should be prepared to have honor dogs for both BDD and DD freight hauls in the event that they are needed. 

So assuming your test running order for the day is BDD/DD/DDX your schedule would look like:

First walkthrough BDD entrants

Followed by BDD Basic control, Hitching and harnessing and maneuvering

Followed by BDD one minute stay and freight load

Followed by BDD Freight haul

Then second walkthrough for DD entrants

DD basic control, hitching and harnessing and Maneuvering

DD three minute stay and freight load

DD freight haul

DDX Walkthrough

DDX dogs compete

If you have all breed entrants, you then start OVER at the BDD level, move to DD level and then DDX. 

THEN THE TEST IS OVER

If you have a smaller entry it may be possible, at the judges discretion only, to allow the WALKTHROUGHS ONLY to be combined in some ways that make sense to your total entries.  Judges should take into account both the size of entries in each division, skill levels and comfort level with behavioral clues in dogs prior to combining the FREIGHT HAUL WALKTHROUGH ONLY, assuming that the route for both BDD and DD traverse the same path.

And as always "SECURE" definition means attached in some way to your apparatus so that if it flips over, the total freight and any other items loaded does not fall out. 

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THOSE ENTERING DRAFT EVENTS!! Send us your photos so we can share your fun!!

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New Policy

In November, the Working Dog Committee and the NCA Board collaborated on language for a new policy for Out of Control dog behaviors at NCA events.

At all NCA Events dogs must be kept under control to prevent harm to itself or others. It is the owner/handler’s responsibility to ensure their dogs are under control for the duration of the event.

At NCA events dogs must be crated or leashed and collared at all times, except when the dogs are required to perform off leash. When dogs are leashed, the length of the leash must not exceed SIX (6) feet and the leash may NOT be a retractable leash.

Dogs should not be allowed to approach another dog without permission from the other dog’s owner/handler. Any dog that, in the opinion of the judges, event committee or designated safety officer representing the event, appears dangerous, shall be asked to leave the event promptly or be crated for the duration of the event and is excused from further participation in the event.

Anyone who witnesses a dog appearing to be dangerous should bring their concerns to the judges, event committee or safety officer. Part of upholding good sportsmanship is to take action through the appropriate channels.

Examples of out of control behavior would include but is not limited to:

Aggressive vocalization such as barking and growling, or aggressive behavior toward any person or animal such as snapping, biting, lunging, charging, attacking or attempting to attack at any time while on the test grounds.

Owners and handlers are responsible for monitoring the well-being and safety of their dog(s). If left unattended the owner/handler must check on them frequently to ensure they are safe.

If the dog is excused from the test grounds for aggression, the automatic grievance policy of the NCA is enacted. If an injury to dog or person occurs, the AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows Ch 11, section 15 goes into effect. (References, chapter 2, section 14 in both water and draft regulations).

Clubs can download this policy from the Working Forms Library (Common Test Forms) to add to events registrations